Manilla

Philippines was great. We were working with about 17 churches, split between two different sites in Makati City, part of Metro Manila. The first evening was smaller (a mission in a basket ball court!), and the second much more normal OTM territory, in a park. The first problem was that a big brass band came to practice in the park just as we had started to worship there, completely drowning us out. But we carried on and, after a time, they left and hundreds of people appeared as if from no-where (it wasn't a busy area); under lights, the barbecue food was distristributed, lovely worship was offered to the Lord by an Anglo-Filipino band (!) and we saw about 100 conversions that night, people coming forward in two 'altar calls', Africa style. It was very moving. The locals were thrilled and want us to come again, and are planning to present this as something that could be done in all 17 districts of Metro Manila.

There was healing that night too. One young lad who had a constricted chest and couldn't breathe properly was released then and there and was taking great big breaths with equally great enthusiasm. (His friend next to him was so excited!). A man of 81 with Parkinson's disease was brought to the front by two friends and prayed for; previously he could neither bend, nor raise his hands, and only walk with difficulty. He was asked to lift his hands (which he couldn't do) and say 'praise God'. He did! Following the prayer, he found he could walk, jump, bend down, reach up – all of which was 'performed' in front of all the guests at the barbecue, to prolonged applause! The local leaders were so impressed by this sign that God was with us, which he surely was.

Praise the Lord!

M.G. November 05